Porto, 26 January 2015 - BIAL, the largest Portuguese pharmaceutical company and one of the major Iberian, has just incorporated as a non-executive Board member, Franz Humer, former CEO and Chairman of Roche.
The incorporation of Franz Humer, one of the most internationally respected personalities in the pharmaceutical industry, is part of the consolidation of BIAL’s internationalization strategy for the next decade.
Franz Humer, who retired from Roche in 2014, has a long career in the pharmaceutical industry, having previously held management positions at Schering Plough and GlaxoSmithKline. In 1995 he joined the Board of Roche, as head of the Pharmaceutical Division and as Chief Operating Officer. From 1998 until 2008, he took over as CEO and, from 2001 until March 2014, as Chairman.
Graduated with a PhD in Law, an MBA from INSEAD, Franz Humer is a member of the Board of Citigroup, Chairman of Diageo, Chairman of the International Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Member of the International Advisory Board of Allianz, among other positions.
According to Luís Portela, Chairman of BIAL, “it is an honor to count on the experience of Dr. Franz Humer, who dedicated his professional career to the pharmaceutical industry in large multinational companies of innovation. His incorporation is especially relevant to BIAL as it is a recognition of the work we have been developing.”
According to Franz Humer “to be part of BIAL’s Board is a challenge. I’ve been following BIAL for many years and I think it has made a remarkable journey, based on a long-term strategy focused on Research and Development, which is a pioneer work in Portugal. I’m really excited to give my contribution to its strengthening, particularly in the international markets.”
BIAL is an international pharmaceutical group with products available in more than 50 countries and its international sales already represent around 60% of the company’s total turnover.
About BIAL
Founded in 1924, BIAL’s mission is to discover, develop and provide therapeutic solutions within the area of health. In the last decades, BIAL has focused its strategic lines on Quality, Innovation and internationalization.
It is the partner of choice for many companies, having a strong presence in the Iberian Peninsula as well as in over 10 countries in Latin America and in around 20 French or Portuguese speaking African countries.
BIAL is strongly committed to therapeutic innovation investing more than 20% of its turnover in Research and Development (R&D) every year, which places BIAL among the most innovative European companies. Key research areas for BIAL are the central nervous system, the cardiovascular system and allergen immunotherapy.
The innovative programs of BIAL are focused on the continuity of the clinical development of its anti-epileptic, Zebinix / Aptiom, already commercialized in most European markets and in the US, as well as on a new treatment for Parkinson’s disease.
With a team of 900 employees, BIAL has reinforce its international presence, an aspect that the company wants to strengthen over the next decade.
Further information about BIAL can be found at www.bial.com
For further information contact:
BIAL
Susana Vasconcelos (susana.vasconcelos@bial.com) | T. + 351 229866100 / 963469730
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